We use Microsoft .NET Framework for custom application development.
Principal System Developer at HHRC
Stable product with efficient security features
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft .NET Framework’s most valuable features are web application development, RESTful services development, security, performance, and less memory footprint."
- "The product’s reliability needs improvement."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Microsoft .NET Framework’s most valuable features are web application development, RESTful services development, security, performance, and less memory footprint.
What needs improvement?
The product’s reliability needs improvement. There could be fewer footprints for compiled code. Additionally, its memory management could be better. The performance should be increased as well.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for eight to ten years.
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May 2025

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable platform. Although, we encounter memory consumption issues when there are a lot of concurrent requests. It should give error messages when it is about to reach the capacity limit.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability depends on the architecture of the custom application.
How are customer service and support?
We don’t need to contact Microsoft as many technical forums and tech programs can help and guide us with any issues.
How was the initial setup?
The product’s initial setup process is not complicated. Although, you need to have technical expertise for implementation. The time taken for deployment depends on the project requirements. For a complex project, it takes one to two days. Whereas for a simple application, it takes a few hours. It requires two to three executives for deployment and five executives, including admins, engineers, and developers, for maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
The product can be deployed in-house by getting guidance from the Internet.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Microsoft .NET Framework is free of cost. Microsoft also provides its open-source version. One can quickly deploy it if they have a server license.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
J2EE Framework is good but complicated to deploy and requires more skills. It is not straightforward compared to Microsoft .NET Framework.
What other advice do I have?
I advise others to hire technical expertise or learn the technical aspects to understand the product. It will help them leverage all the features.
I rate it a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

Manager at CEMEX
Stable solution and complex initial setup process
Pros and Cons
- "The .NET Framework is easier to use because it provides a wide range of libraries."
- "The initial setup is complex."
What is our primary use case?
I use this framework to create backend services or work with data lakes.
What is most valuable?
The .NET Framework is easier to use because it provides a lot of libraries. I find it very useful. The difference, for example, with the .NET Core framework from Microsoft is that it's an open-source library and runs on multiple platforms.
What needs improvement?
There is room for improvement in the setup process and the support.
For how long have I used the solution?
In this technology, I have four years of experience. In my current organization, I create an API solution using the Microsoft .NET Framework for my microservices. I use .NET Framework 4.7 and 3.0. Both versions can serve as the core.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I create API solutions and web apps. Microsoft .NET Framework can be scaled. I have a solution that is designed for implementing transactions.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is a bit complex. I would rate my experience with the initial setup a seven out of ten, with ten being the most complex.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate the solution a five out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft .NET Framework
May 2025

Learn what your peers think about Microsoft .NET Framework. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
851,823 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT Consultant at Sistemi Tre
Enables applications to be made available for our company's customers or users
Pros and Cons
- "The solution's technical support is very good...The product's initial setup phase was easy."
- "The integration capability of the product with AI is an area with certain shortcomings, where improvements are required."
What is our primary use case?
In my company, the solution is used for web development.
I use the tool as a commercial user so that applications can be made available for our company's customers or users.
What needs improvement?
The integration capability of the product with AI is an area with certain shortcomings, where improvements are required.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework since 2004, so I have twenty years of experience with the solution. My company has a partnership with Microsoft.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution. Ten years ago, the product was not very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability-wise, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
With the tool, my company works with clients who run small and medium-sized businesses.
How are customer service and support?
The solution's technical support is very good. Users can directly contact Microsoft for support. I rate the technical support a ten out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have not used any other products from other vendors. I may have directly used some other products, but I only use products from Microsoft for the production phase.
Microsoft .NET Framework is a very good solution for the production phase.
How was the initial setup?
The product's initial setup phase was easy.
The time required for the installation process depends on the time the user takes to download the installation stuff. Generally, the installation process takes just a few minutes to complete.
What other advice do I have?
In my company, we use the tool for sales projects, CRM purposes, B2B projects, and creating applications.
The tool's feature that has been very beneficial for the development process stems from the fact that it is very easy to develop applications and to find a knowledge base of Microsoft.
The integration of Microsoft .NET Framework with other Microsoft tools has impacted our company's workflow since we have integrated it with Office 365.
Microsoft .NET Framework is a good product with a bright future.
The maintenance of the product is very easy.
I rate the product's capability a ten out of ten in terms of the learning curve for developers who are new to the tool.
I rate the overall tool a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
DevOps Engineer at ESSPL
A cloud solution for implementation release with low maintenance
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution for DevOps for implementation release.
What needs improvement?
The boards within Microsoft Azure need improvement, especially compared to Jira, a widely utilized ticketing tool in various organizations. While Jira is cost-effective, Azure provides various features in one place through its DevOps console. However, some shortcomings in Azure's boards and Wachee require attention. These tools might suit specific industries and workflows, but enhancements in Microsoft Azure's boards and infrastructure are necessary for larger-scale enterprises with complex architectures.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for two to three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
Our client utilizes the Microsoft Stack. Therefore, we must collaborate with them for internal Proof of Concept (POC) and presentations to attract new clients. We have around 250 Microsoft users. Within this context, various components such as ETA, specific developers, working with Azure, and blockchain development are conducted within Azure.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. We are using the enterprise-level subscription
Around 200 people are using Microsoft .NET Framework.
How are customer service and support?
We have a dedicated support system and have subscribed to it specifically for enterprise-level digital data scripts from Microsoft, which provides us with reliable support lines.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I worked on alternate servers to build the .NET applications. I have created some pipelines for the automation practice.
How was the initial setup?
I have used the .NET Framework to develop applications and build pipelines. Additionally, I have implemented multiple pipelines in the data science domain, handling data. It is easy to design and manage these pipelines.
If you spend some time delving into web development, such as watching YouTube videos, you can discover solutions that may not be as complex as AWS cases. However, Azure offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies configuration and pipeline creation. You don't need to write Java code because, with additional settings in your pipeline, Java can be automatically generated. Configure these settings, write the necessary scripts, and deploy. Azure provides an incredibly cool, user-friendly, cost-effective dashboard that allows you to do more using the GUI.
Deploying applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework involves creating a pipeline. It can be done quickly; within a few minutes, you can deploy applications.
I am the sole developer and engineer responsible for managing the entire pipeline creation process. This involves collaboration between developers and operational teams. My role encompasses implementing solutions and deploying them through Azure DevOps. The team has completed the website development, and my task now is to establish an efficient deployment pipeline that doesn't require extensive time for construction or interface.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We don’t need to pay any particular ownership charges for creating pipelines on the .NET service. We have a monthly subscription for the solution.
What other advice do I have?
Azure offers numerous automation systems that are already predefined by Jira pipelines. Consequently, there's minimal intervention required as they come pre-configured for build tests and deployments. Our primary task involves configuring these setups according to our specific requirements—determining where we need to deliver and retrieve items, thus necessitating consideration for various concerns within the Azure pipeline.
Connecting components in building .NET applications becomes straightforward due to Azure's facilitation of these operations.
It doesn't require regular maintenance, but there may be instances where updates are necessary to address specific application issues or to ensure compatibility with certain updates. In the context of Azure, there is no need for additional maintenance tasks. Once a pipeline is created, the focus remains on managing that pipeline, addressing any configuration issues, or troubleshooting when necessary. There is no direct need for manual updates or upgrades for software-related updates, as Microsoft's internal IT manages these processes. There's no individual requirement for us to handle service upgrades or updates.
Microsoft Azure is highly efficient across server environments, including .NET and other frameworks like Java. It supports a wide array of servers available in the market today. Current technology seamlessly accommodates diverse server infrastructures, making it notably efficient and ideal for enterprise-level operations. I rate it a perfect five out of five for its performance in DevOps and delivering sophisticated solutions to complex challenges.
We've extensively utilized Azure in the logistics industry, implementing numerous solutions with a significant reliance on its services. Azure covers almost all data analytics, data science, and data engineering aspects. As a developer, I've been solely responsible for implementing and constructing nearly all pipelines within Azure DevOps to address these complex problems. This stands as a benchmark achievement.
Azure's user-friendly interface and productivity make it a standout solution within the Microsoft suite. I highly recommend enterprise resources consider migrating to Azure when contemplating a move to the cloud—it's the top choice.
Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Works
Have managed complex setups with connectivity and offers good scalability
Pros and Cons
- "As we are scaling quite nicely on Azure."
- "There may be some topics regarding connectivity and management of certificates that require attention."
What is our primary use case?
I am building a web application and using this solution.
What is most valuable?
The platform was chosen to be used and I did not choose it, so I can't speak to what is the best feature.
What needs improvement?
There may be some topics regarding connectivity and management of certificates that require attention. We are currently facing some issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for about two years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
As we are scaling quite nicely on Azure.
How are customer service and support?
I have not contacted customer service recently.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complex. Once you know and have some help, it is manageable.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The company is not paying anything for the license. I am not familiar with this area. For us, it's free.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Java and Sprint are alternatives we considered.
What other advice do I have?
Our solution should work for roughly 50,000 users every day. We are still collaborating, and it's okay.
The overall product rating is eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Jan 22, 2025
Flag as inappropriateTechnical Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
A software development framework for building and running applications on Windows
Pros and Cons
- "Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years. One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing."
- "In the realm of Microsoft .NET Framework, particularly in the C# language, there have been significant developments that I find highly commendable. I am genuinely fascinated by the continuous evolution of the language, and staying abreast of the latest features in Azure is both challenging and enjoyable. Working with C# in Azure is particularly fantastic. I appreciate in .NET, as compared to Java, is the enforcement of types, providing a better experience in terms of technicalities. Additionally, the introduction of Roslyn in the past few years has brought about the concept of late .NET, which I find interesting and powerful. This allows for the transformation of symbolic code just before execution, eliminating the runtime decision-making process and enhancing efficiency. However, late .NET does come with a drawback – a delay in the last-minute computation when starting an executable. While some may find this less appealing in terms of instant responsiveness, especially in serverless cloud environments, the efficiency gained from executing strictly binary code is valuable. Despite potential drawbacks like the time required for activation, I view .NET favorably for its technical advancements and efficiency, especially in scenarios such as serverless cloud computing. It's essential to recognize the intricacies of how .NET processes code and the efficiency it brings, which some may overlook."
What is our primary use case?
I am currently working on the development of a new product using Microsoft .NET Framework. The project is currently in the analysis, architecture, and user acceptance phases. It is a comprehensive system similar to ERP, designed to manage internal resources for a sizable bank. The application focuses on handling IT resources for the bank, and it is being developed in-house.
How has it helped my organization?
Within each specific .NET product of ours, we currently have a robust portfolio with around a dozen products actively running for our customers. Based on the user databases, it's evident that each product is implemented using .NET. In fact, one of our products boasts slightly over one thousand users. This underscores the prevalent use of .NET across our product range.
What is most valuable?
Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years.
One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing.
What needs improvement?
In the realm of Microsoft .NET Framework, particularly in the C# language, there have been significant developments that I find highly commendable. I am genuinely fascinated by the continuous evolution of the language, and staying abreast of the latest features in Azure is both challenging and enjoyable. Working with C# in Azure is particularly fantastic.
I appreciate in .NET, as compared to Java, is the enforcement of types, providing a better experience in terms of technicalities. Additionally, the introduction of Roslyn in the past few years has brought about the concept of late .NET, which I find interesting and powerful. This allows for the transformation of symbolic code just before execution, eliminating the runtime decision-making process and enhancing efficiency. However, late .NET does come with a drawback – a delay in the last-minute computation when starting an executable. While some may find this less appealing in terms of instant responsiveness, especially in serverless cloud environments, the efficiency gained from executing strictly binary code is valuable.
Despite potential drawbacks like the time required for activation, I view .NET favorably for its technical advancements and efficiency, especially in scenarios such as serverless cloud computing. It's essential to recognize the intricacies of how .NET processes code and the efficiency it brings, which some may overlook.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for many years, since 1992 or 1993.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I'm frequently questioned about the scalability of .NET products by the company owner. In response, I inquire about the specific aspect of scalability they are interested in. If the concern is about handling sudden surges in traffic, I affirm that .NET is indeed scalable, especially with the implementation of group health checks. This ensures automatic scaling without manual intervention, providing convenience.
Contrary to common misconceptions, I emphasize that the performance of .NET is typically not hindered by processing power but by factors such as disk I/O and database operations. Scaling the database differs significantly from scaling processing power, as it involves handling transactions, open transactions, and conflicting operations. If isolation is not well-implemented, issues may arise. For instance, a database like SQL Server, while appearing appealing a decade ago for its tools and affordability, presented challenges in terms of scaling compared to Oracle. Understanding these nuances is crucial for making informed decisions about scalability.
How are customer service and support?
Regarding customer support from Microsoft, I can say that when we documented issues and submitted tickets, Microsoft was responsive and open, even without direct contact. Working with Microsoft has generally been positive, and their strategic direction is something we have followed closely. Microsoft's commitment to evolving their product has been beneficial for us, even though the unpredictability of their decisions can sometimes pose challenges. In a small company like ours, adapting to changes becomes more complex, especially considering the project size.
As a company, we are also involved in software development for the European Commission, where the strong requirement is to use software from the .NET world. The challenge arises when dealing with Java in parallel, as its community processes add an element of unpredictability. Managing a team that can swiftly adapt to changing technologies is an advantage, but it requires time and effort. The unpredictability of Java's direction contrasts with the more foreseeable evolution of .NET.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We have had experiences with Oracle as well as .NET, specifically with the Silverlight framework, though that was some years ago. Silverlight, while not inherently bad, tends to be criticized, and I often advise people to understand its origin as the Presentation Foundation Everywhere (PFE), indicating its intention to provide a unified UI across various platforms. However, due to various challenges, it was eventually phased out, and Silverlight became obsolete. We once had a product active on SolarWinds 3.5, transitioned to SolarWinds Sorin, but unfortunately did not survive beyond Silverlight 5.
How was the initial setup?
Yes, it is easy. .NET has expanded its scope significantly. It's worth noting that while many may mention .NET, not everyone truly comprehends its intricacies. Nowadays, people often focus on microseconds, assuming they grasp the technical aspects, which can be misleading.
Although Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CICD) may seem attractive for automated deployment, the allure of the cloud has somewhat overshadowed the significance of meticulous deployment, as it's often perceived as someone else's responsibility. This shift in perception, coupled with tools like CircleCI, requires a closer examination of their efficiency compared to more conventional platforms like Azure. Understanding the true speed and efficacy of these tools is imperative for making informed decisions.
What about the implementation team?
The shift in the deployment and maintenance is evident, as manual installations are no longer the norm. Intelligence is now directed towards automation, emphasizing the importance of testing. Once this process is completed, confidence in the system's functionality increases, alleviating concerns about manual loading and ensuring an automated and efficient workflow.
Everyone in our organization follows the mindset of having our proprietary tools. The majority of our internal tooling is developed in-house, making us predominantly a .NET-centric environment. While it's true that we also provide Java solutions, most of our confidence lies in .NET due to its reliability. Reflecting on past experiences, there were initial concerns about how autonomously and optimally .NET could run, especially in terms of memory management. However, over time, particularly with the introduction of .NET Core, those concerns have dissipated, and I am now completely confident in the reliability of .NET.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
In the interim, there's no need to purchase videos for viewing. Microsoft has made significant moves in the .NET space, starting with their response in Visual Studio Code and now providing Visual Studio entirely for free. This is a notable shift from the past when we used to pay substantial amounts for technical subscriptions. Previously, a group of ten developers could cost several thousand dollars annually for licensing. However, the current trend is to offer these tools for free to maintain their dominance in the developer market. The market dynamics have changed, and now developers can freely download Visual Studio, making it a preferred choice over other paid options.
What other advice do I have?
It has been around for about three months, and I've had a chance to delve into the capabilities. As for the .NET Framework, it's advisable not to use it anymore. While there might be some exceptional cases, I don't consider myself an expert on .NET Framework. The trend is shifting away from Framework towards .NET Core and now .NET 5. I would anticipate platforms to adapt and run seamlessly on the newer versions. Transitioning from Framework to newer versions might not be straightforward, particularly in terms of setup and configuration. Working with .NET Core involves a different approach, especially when dealing with configurations and influencing the product's behavior externally.
Switching everything from Framework to .NET Core in a short span may not be feasible, and even if you plan to do so, existing products and customer preferences may necessitate keeping the older products alive. Users may inquire about their familiar products, and it's essential to maintain support for them. Despite these challenges, I find .NET Core, particularly version 8.5, to be highly commendable. It excels in various aspects and is a robust platform, rating it 8.5 out of 10.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Developer at a tech consulting company with 51-200 employees
Highly versatile, dynamic, and versatile
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is customization."
- "Microsoft could improve .NET Framework by providing more resources to help users understand the solution."
What is our primary use case?
I use this solution with data from different applications to obtain data from files, apply business roles, and obtain different behaviors of the data. I also use it to transform and apply valuations and to send information through SMS or certified email.
How has it helped my organization?
.NET Framework saves us cost and time, provides quality and accuracy, and improves our security.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is customization.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft could improve .NET Framework by providing more resources to help users understand the solution. I would also like Microsoft to add an additional monitoring tool - for example, when we develop a robot using .NET, we need too many people following the area of the robot.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There have been some issues with the running application crashing.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good.
How are customer service and support?
Microsoft's technical support is good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is quite complex and requires someone with technical skills to complete it. The minimum time for setup is three weeks.
What about the implementation team?
We used an in-house team.
What was our ROI?
.NET Framework is a good tool to add value to our company.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay around $450 for our license.
What other advice do I have?
.NET Framework is very versatile and dynamic and allows us to change properties and customize the controls. If you're familiar with programming, you can go ahead with all the functionality and create new products. I would rate .NET Framework nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
QA Lead at Paytm
Useful for automation and is a good investment, but it is difficult to learn
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is easy to use if the user is a developer or some technical person."
- "The solution is difficult to learn if someone is learning it for the first time."
What is our primary use case?
I use the product only for automation.
What is most valuable?
Our usage was limited. Microsoft .NET Framework is a good investment.
What needs improvement?
The solution is technical. A new user cannot use it. The solution is difficult to learn if someone is learning it for the first time. It is difficult for non-technical people.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The tool was stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Around 20 to 25 developers used the tool in our organization.
What about the implementation team?
The solution was deployed by the vendor.
What other advice do I have?
Only developers can use the tool. We have used Microsoft .NET Framework for web-based applications. If someone is planning to use the tool for the first time, they must learn the basics of .NET. They must go through some manual or training. The solution is easy to use if the user is a developer or some technical person. It’s a good application. Overall, I rate the product a six to seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

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